Thyroid Disease.

Types of Thyroid Disease

Hypothyroidism

Occurs when there is too little thyroid hormone.

  • Some symptoms of hypothyroidism:

    • Sensitivity to cold

    • Fatigue

    • Slow heart rate

    • Irritability

    • Feeling sluggish

    • Weight gain

    • Hair loss

    • Brittle nails

    • Constipation

    • Dry skin

    • "Brain fog" or forgetfulness

Hyperthyroidism

Occurs when there is too much thyroid hormone.

  • Some symptoms of hyperthyroidism:

    • Excessive sweating/sensitivity to heat

    • Fatigue

    • Hyperactivity

    • Irritability

    • Restlessness

    • Abnormal heart rhythm, heart palpitations, fast heart rate

    • Mood swings

    • Anxiety

    • Puffy/protruding eyes

    • Difficulty sleeping

    • Weight loss

    • Hair loss

    • Muscle weakness

    • Tremor/shakiness

If you rely on replacement thyroid hormones, here's why it's important to take your prescribed dosage:

If left untreated, hypothyroidism may lead to serious problems and could be fatal. Slow heart rate means your blood isn't moving to vital parts of your body fast enough. Decreased body flow to organs like the kidneys can lead to failure. Hypothyroidism can affect  fertility and menstruation in women, and testosterone levels and sperm shape in men.

Myxedema coma is when you are severely hypothyroid with decreased mental status, hypothermia, and other symptoms from slowed function all over your body.

Other terms to know

Goiter

Abnormal enlargement of
your thyroid

If left untreated, hyperthyroidism may lead to serious heart problems and be life-threatening. If your body is always running on overtime, you may have abnormal heart beat, sudden cardiac arrest, or hypertension (high blood pressure). A thyroid storm is when your heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature go to dangerous levels due to un- or under-treated hyperthyroidism.

Thyroid nodules

A lump in/on your thyroid

Thyroiditis

Inflammation of the thyroid; Hashimoto's thyroiditis is a common type

More Educational Resources

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  • Survivorship

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